Chair construction



May 3, 1955 E. D. SMITH 2,707,514

CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 12. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l l6 l 3O 2 50 2 30 2 4/ INVENTOR. 177/?! A SN/777- May 3, 1955 E. D. SMITH 2,707,514

CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed 001;. 12, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 54x4 2. 5/7/2771 This invention relates to a chair construction.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a chair construction having its seat and back units formed entirely of cardboard such as corrugated fibre board or the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an interlocking arrangement between the several cardboard elements that form said seat and back units, that the chair is rigid, durable and capable of withstanding indefinitely all of the wear and tear to which it may be subjected.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a chair construction which is easy to fabricate and assemble, and which is formed of a material that is always available. As a result, a minimum of expense in parts and labor is necessary.

it is a still further object of the present invention to provide a chair construction of such character that it is light in weight. Consequently, it is an easy matter for even children to move the chair from one point in a room to another. With a television set forming the focal point in many homes during certain hours of the day, it is frequently necessary to rearrange the furniture to view the screen properly. Chairs and the like of conventional construction are heavy, and cumbersome, and therefore difficult to move. Rugs are frequently moved out of place thereby. But with the present invention, all such problems are eliminated. Furthermore, because of their aforementioned light weight, the chairs may be transported from one place to another with a minimum of effort and expense.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a chair of such character that it may be disassembled and stored with case. It is well known that storage space is relatively expensive. But with the present invention, the entire chair may be disassembled and folded into a compact unit, thereby necessitating a minimum of such space. This feature is also of considerable value in connection with the transportation and shipment of the chair from the manufacturer to the wholesaler, jobber or retailer. Freight expenses are appreciably reduced not only because of the ability to ship the chair in the knockdown but because of its light weight. Storage problems in stores and warehouses prior to a sale of the chair are also substantially reduced.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a chair of such character and contour that a one piece cushioned slip cover may be readily slipped over it. No irregular contour or lines are present, and as a result a standardized cover may be used, thereby eliminating any special custom fitting problems.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following de' scription and claims:

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in final assembled, slip covered condition.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof with the slip cover removed.

" ice Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof with the cardboard casing removed.

Fig. 4 is a section view thereof taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a section view thereof taken on lines 55 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention with the slip cover removed, and having an arm rest.

Fig. 7 is a section view thereof taken on lines 77 of Fig. 8 in the direction of the arrows.

in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a section view thereof taken on lines 88 of Fig. 7 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the substantially L-shaped bracing members.

In the drawings, the invention is shown generally at 10 The fabric slip cover 11 having the cushioned seat 12, completely covers the casing (see Fig. 2). This casing is formed of relatively thin material such as cardboard or fiber board. It preferably but not necessarilyincludes the box-like bottom 13 and the side, end, seat,

forward and rear back sections 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively. Scotch tape 19 or other suitable securing means may be used to connect the several sections. Staples 20 or the like may also be used for such purposes, and in order to secure the bottom to the side and end sections. If desired, it is of course possible to form more than one of the sections from a single blank, as for ex ample the side and rearward back sections. The blank is scored after being stamped to facilitate proper folding.

A plurality of substantially L-shaped panel members 21 having the laterally extending ends 22 are fabricated of cardboard or the like, their contour approximating that of the seat and back of a conventional chair, and when properly set up are disposed in spaced, parallel relation. Four of such members are shown in the drawings (see Fig. 3), although the number employed is a matter of choice. Each panel has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, vertically disposed slots 23 formed in the seat portion thereof, the slots extending from a point in proximity to the vertical center of said seat portions upwardly through the edges thereof.

The back portions of each panel have substantially horizontally disposed slots 24 formed therein in vertical, spaced relation. Three of these slots are shown in the drawings (see Fig. 5) although the exact number is not critical and may be varied as desired. Each slot extends from a point in proximity to the horizontal center of its back portion rearwardly through the edge thereof.

For purposes hereafter described, each of the panels is provided with a slot 25 disposed rearwardly and downwardly from the vertex 26 forming the juncture of said seat and back portions.

Cooperating with the L-shaped panel members are bracing struts 27, one being provided for each of the slots 23 in the seat portion thereof. Some of these cross struts may have their ends laterallyextended or deflected as at 28. Each strut is provided with a series of spaced parallel slots 28a extending inwardly or upwardly from the lower edges thereof to approximately the vertical center thereof. The slots 28a are spaced apart such distances as it is desired that the L-shaped panels are to be maintained, and the slots 2328a interengage with each other in such manner as to tightly lock the panels and struts in interlocked relationship. The depth of the slots 23-28a is such that when the bottom walls of the slots are engaged with one another the sides defining said slots will be tightly engaged with the material of the panels cross struts beyond the bottoms of their respective slots. At the same time, the upper edges of the c'ross struts will be disposed in substantially the same plane as the corresponding edges of the L-shaped members,

while the lower edges of the said cross struts will terminate adjacent to the bottom plane of the said L-shaped members. In order to further reenforce and lend rigidity to the construction, the two most remote transverse strut portions may be formed of one blank, being the upturned ends 29 of the base portion 30 to constitute a bottom upon which the remaining cross struts 27 rest. The rear upturned end 29 is slotted inwardly from its upper end to interengage with slots 25 near the rear ends of the L-shaped panels.

Extending approximately at right angles to the back portions of said L-shaped members are the bracing struts or cross pieces 30. They also have slots 30 formed therein, as described in connection with the transverse elements, so that they may be disposed in interlocking relation with the slots of said back portion. (See Fig. 4.)

After the transverse struts are interlocked with said L-shaped members, the chair contour desired is thereby formed. Next the side, bottom end and back sections are disposed thereabout in embracing, enveloping relation thus forming a casing or shell for the assembled pieces (see Fig. 2.) t

While a chair construction thus described may be formed, it is also possible to provide for the modification shown in Figs. 6, 7 and S. This modification is designed as a part of a sectional piece of furniture, the illustration picturing the lefthand unit (facing from the chair) having the arm rest shown generally at 31. The arm rest comprises preferably a casing 32 formed from one blank which is scored along vertical planes and then folded into substantially rectangular form as shown in Fig. 8. There are vertically disposed slots 33 formed in the lower side Wall positions of the casing so that it may be interlocked with the transverse struts in a manner as heretofore described. The casing is positioned between adjacent L-shaped members. lnterposed between the cross struts and the side walls of the casing are the interlocked upright members 34. A cover 35 may be provided to enclose the construction.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The invention claimed is:

1. A chair construction formed of stiff sheet material, comprising a plurality of substantially L-shaped panels arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation, the bases and arms of each of said panels forming seat and back portions respectively, the bases of said panels having a plurality of spaced substantially vertical notches formed therein, said notches extending from a point adjacent the vertical center of said bases upwardly through the edges thereof, the respective notches of each base being in alignment with the corresponding notches of adjacent bases, the arms of said panels having a plurality of substantially horizontal spaced notches formed therein, said notches extending from a point adjacent the horizontal center of said arms rearwardly through the edges thereof, the respective notches of each arm being in alignment with the corresponding notches of adjacent arms, a series of transverse bracing struts having a plurality of similarly spaced notches disposed laterally therein and slidably inter-fitting with the corresponding notches in said seat and back portions, said transverse struts being associated with said panels in substantially right angular interlocking relation, and a casing enclosing said panels and structs in confining engagement therewith to provide a seat and back rest.

2. A chair construction formed of stiff sheet material, comprising a plurality of substantially L-shaped panels arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation to form the chair contour, the bases and arms of said panels constitutiug respectively the seat and back portion of the chair, a plurality of transverse bracing struts angularly disposed relative to said panels, said panels and said all struts each having a plurality of spaced aligned cooperating notches formed therein to permit an interlocking association therebctween, an arm rest for said chair comprising a casing having a substantially rectangular wall provided with cooperating notches extending inwardly from the lower end thereof, said wall being nested between said panels with its said slots in interlocking relation with said transverse bracing struts, a plurality of bracing struts abutting the inside surfaces of said casing, and a cover enclosing said struts and panels in confining engagement therewith to provide a seat and back rest.

3. An article of furniture comprising a supporting structure having a plurality of similar panels of thin material each comprising a seat portion and an integral olfset back portion, said seat and back portions each having a plurality of parallel slots extending inwardly a predetermined distance from one edge thereof, reenforcing struts each having parallel slots extending inwardly a predetermined distance from one edge thereof, said reenforcing struts having the edges of the slots thereof interlockingly engaged with the edges of the slots of said seat and back portions, the said struts holding the said panels in parallel spaced relation with the corresponding edges of the seat portion in the same planes and the front and back edges of the back portions in the same planes, the edges of said struts disposed in the same planes with their respective seat and back portion edges, and a covering enclosing said panels and struts and engaging the edges thereof.

4. An article of furniture comprising a supporting structure having a plurality of similar panels of thin material each comprising a seat portion and an offset back portion, said seat and back portions each having a plurality of spaced slots extending inwardly predetermined distances from the top and back edges thereof respectively, bracing struts of similar material each having spaced slots extending inwardly from one edge and of depths corresponding to the depths of said panel slots, said bracing struts disposed transversely of said panels with the slot edges of the panels and struts embracing the material of the panels and struts beyond the bottoms of their respective slots whereby the panels and struts maintain one another in spaced relation with the opposing edges of the seat portions in the same respective planes and the front and back edges of the back portions in the same respective planes with the corresponding edges of the bracing struts in the same planes with their respective seat and back portion edges, and a covering enclosing said panels and bracing struts.

5. An article of furniture comprising a supporting structure having a plurality of similar panels of thin material each comprising a seat portion and an offset back portion, said seat and back portions each having a plurality of spaced slots extending inwardly predetermined distances from the top and back edges thereof respectively, bracing struts of similar material disposed transversely of said panels and each having spaced slots extending inwardly from an edge thereof, the slots of said panels and struts so located and of such depth and breadth as to permit said panels and struts to interengage with one another with the material of said struts and panels beyond the bottoms of said slots embraced by the edges of said slots with the edges of said panels and struts in the same planes, and a covering of thin relatively stiff sheet material enclosing said panels and bracing struts.

6. An article of furniture comprising a supporting structure having a plurality of spaced laterally disposed supporting struts formed of thin sheet material, an arm rest comprising a sheet of thin relatively stiff material bent upon itself to form a four-walled rectangular casing provided in one wall thereof with inwardly directed slots spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance between said struts, the edges of said slots embracing said struts in interlocking engagement, and reenforcing members of thin relatively stiff sheet material disposed within said casing in upright relationship and extending from the bottom to the top thereof.

7. An article of furniture comprising a supporting structure having a plurality of similar seat panels of thin material each provided with a plurality of parallel slots extending inwardly a predetermined distance from one edge thereof, reenforcing struts formed of thin relatively stiff sheet material each having parallel slots extending a predetermined distance from one edge inwardly thereof, said struts having the edges of the slots thereof interlockingly engaged with the edges of the slots of said panels, the said struts holding said panels in spaced parallel relation with the corresponding edges of the seat portion in the same planes with the corresponding edges of the struts, the ends of the struts projecting beyond the end seat panels, an arm rest formed of thin relatively stifi sheet material bent upon itself to form a rectangular casing and provided in a wall thereof with slots extending inwardly from its lower edges and spaced apart distances corresponding to the distances between said struts, said arm rest slots embracing said struts in interlocking engagement, and reenforcing upright members of thin material disposed within said arm rest casing and extending from the bottom to the top thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,674,220 Percival June 19, 1928 1,712,412 Westerman May 7, 1929 1,854,663 Nebel Apr. 19, 1932 1,930,173 Lauth et al. Oct. 10, 1933 2,031,477 Gianninoto et al. Feb. 18, 1936 2,049,659 Parrott Aug. 4, 1936 2,100,979 Rowe Nov. 30, 1937 2,313,362 Rous Mar. 9, 1943 2,361,875 Sachs Oct. 31, 1944 2,518,532 Edwards Aug. 15, 1950 

